Ascension Theology is one of the finest
pieces of theology which I have read in many years. Farrow was a
Presbyterian who became Roman Catholic, and speaks with precision and force from
both backgrounds. There are aspects of his theology which I do not accept,
being an Anglican priest, not Roman Catholic, but Farrow contributes to the
present discussion on faith and politics, faith and the public arena, not just
faith within oneself or in the confines of church walls or fellowship.
Farrow is not a "pietist", one who thinks that Christian spirituality belongs
only within oneself, family, and church, not in the public arena. The
Beast is rising both in and out of the Church of God.

Farrow understands how important the Ascension was to
Christian faith and practice, and how sadly lacking that event in the life of
our risen Lord is to the whole story of salvation. Very few churches, even
those of a sacramental persuasion, celebrate it anymore. It is treated
much like the Trinity, as an embarrassing bit of
baggage which we should keep in a closet, or relegate to historical document
status, but not much relevant to today's theological needs.

Farrow writes about the "mystery of lawlessness" in
the context of Christian history and of our present time. He raises an
astonishing issue, that evil is not only dependent upon the good (which is
common theological knowledge) but, because evil must feed on the good around,
mimic and copy it, to gain credence and followership, that therefore the more
good there is around, the more lush the garden upon which evil can feed.
So the very propagation of the Gospel and of good works provides this food for
evil to grow. It copies and mimics to draw the faithful into its trap.

That is a scary thought, that the very good we do is
nourishing evil all around us. How does one fight that kind of enemy?
How does one fight an enemy whose success is dependent upon our preaching the
Gospel and doing good works? How do we prevent his co-opting our message
and using our works for his own ends?

Part of the answer is that we cannot succeed in
stopping that effect, it will happen. We can expect the mystery of
lawlessness to flourish often, and at times brutally. But this is all part
of the plan of God -- I would think to expose the Evil One for who he really is,
to draw him into the light which he so much fears. He will come into the
light when he thinks he is safe, that he has conquered the Church of God.

[More to come....]

Truth-seeking, living in light, learning to die well,
rise of science, spiritual warfare, sword of the Spirit, way of cross, going on
the offensive. Pietism. Hastening the day..., not putting it off.